Catalytic converter
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 3
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Catalytic converter
Guys I’m not an expert so can I get some opinions please???
2015 F150 3.5 Ecoboost with 130k miles and it still runs great. Engine light is coding that catalytic converters are bad. Local shop quoted me $1800 to replace them. Seems like a lot to put into a high mileage truck when it runs great & people kinda give me the vibe that you don’t even functionally need them other than for emissions???
I’m no expert but do you actually need catalytic converters on this truck/engine? If not, can you just have a local muffler shop remove them? If removed would the truck perform poorly or would the truck still throw catalytic converter codes - is there a way to get around that?
I just hate to spend close to 2k on a truck with 130k miles if it’s just for emissions, but at the same time I hate driving around with a check engine light on all the time.
please feel free to throw out some opinions - thanks
2015 F150 3.5 Ecoboost with 130k miles and it still runs great. Engine light is coding that catalytic converters are bad. Local shop quoted me $1800 to replace them. Seems like a lot to put into a high mileage truck when it runs great & people kinda give me the vibe that you don’t even functionally need them other than for emissions???
I’m no expert but do you actually need catalytic converters on this truck/engine? If not, can you just have a local muffler shop remove them? If removed would the truck perform poorly or would the truck still throw catalytic converter codes - is there a way to get around that?
I just hate to spend close to 2k on a truck with 130k miles if it’s just for emissions, but at the same time I hate driving around with a check engine light on all the time.
please feel free to throw out some opinions - thanks
5 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 6,691
Likes: 3,914
From: Calgary, Alberta
Almost all tuners will no longer tune out catalytic converters unless you can prove it is a true off-road vehicle with no on-road travel. Many years ago the EPA went after several big name tuners.
You can run spark plug non fouler threaded inserts in the 02 sensor bungs. This will space the 02 sensors further or completely out of the exhaust stream so they provide a “cleaner” reading which will defeat the out of range signal throwing the CEL…
If you need them it’s typically for the post cat (rear) 02’s. The engine needs the pre cat (front) 02’s to actually sample the post combustion mixture to adjust accordingly.
If it was me I’d do a full bolt on replacement exhaust system. 130k is not high milage. There’s plenty of life left considering our trucks won’t rot out like the previous gen’s.
If you need them it’s typically for the post cat (rear) 02’s. The engine needs the pre cat (front) 02’s to actually sample the post combustion mixture to adjust accordingly.
If it was me I’d do a full bolt on replacement exhaust system. 130k is not high milage. There’s plenty of life left considering our trucks won’t rot out like the previous gen’s.